DAY 1 HANOI

On arrival you are welcomed by the representative of our local partner agency. Then transfer to the hotel in the city center. Take a short cyclo trip to discover the old part of the city. Rest of the day at leisure. In the evening an optional visit to the famouse Water Puppet Show can be arranged.

DAY 2 HANOI - MAI CHAU

After breakfast drive first to the ancient city of Duong Lam. Take a stroll through the tiny ancient alleys with it's houses, built 100 years ago. You also got the chance to take a bike ride in the rural area around the village. After lunch continue to Mai Chau, a mosaic of rice fields, bamboo groves and scattered settlements of the White Tai people. Spend the night in a local house of the Tai.

DAY 3 MAI CHAU

In the morning drive up to Xa Linh. Start for a 2 hours trek through the jungle and arrive at at village of the Muong people, located on a plateau on the banks of the Hoa Binh Reservoir. You will have lot's of chances to interact with these friendly hill tribe people. Then drive back via Xa Linh to Mai Chau and have lunch in the house of stilts with the Tai family. After lunch some time at leisure. Then take a walk through the green rice fields to a nearby village and to Mai Chau town. In the evening enjoy traditional music of the local people.

DAY 4 MAI CHAU - NINH BINH

Drive towards Ninh Binh. On route visit Hoa Lu, which was the 3rd capital of Vietnam during 10th and 11th century. After lunch visit Bich Dong, a small limestone mountain with 3 beautiful pagodas and great views. Go on to Tam Coc and board a local sampan on the Ngo Dong River. Enjoy the great scenery with limestone mountains and and observe the rural life here in the country side. Finally passing 3 caves and return to the boat station. Transfer to the hotel in Ninh Binh for overnight.

DAY 5 NINH BINH - HANOI

After breakfast travel back to Hanoi, where you will take a tour through the capital to see some of the major sights, such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the temple of literature etc. In the afternoon transfer to the hotel in the city center for another night in Hanoi.

DAY 6 HANOI

Time at leisure until transfer to the airport and continue your journey...or extend your stay in Hanoi, depend on your further schedule.

REMARKS/FLEXIBILITY:

You must get your visa for Vietnam in advance! Please contact your nearest Vietnam embassy for it. Visa for Vietnam can also be issued here in Thailand, but it takes a couple of days to get it. So it works only if you have a stopover in Bangkok or Chiang Mai before your trip to Vietnam.
Depending on your arrival- and departure flight in Hanoi, this package can also be done with one night less.

PRICE INCLUDES:

Air-conditioned transportation during the tour, English speaking tour guide, all transfers and excursions as mentioned in the above itinerary, accommodation for 3 nights at a good middle class hotel/resort and 2 nights at a local and simple Tai house, breakfast, lunch during tours, 2x dinner in Mai Chau, entrance fees

NOT INCLUDED:

Visa for Vietnam, drinks, tips and personal expenses

HOW TO GET TO HANOI:

From/to Bangkok daily flights by Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines and Air Asia. From/to Vientiane and Luang Prabang (Laos) flights by Lao Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. From/to Phnom Penh and Siem Raep (Cambodia) daily flights by Vietnam Airlines. Various overland trips from/to Laos are available as well. All these flights and transfers can be booked with us.